Pastor's Corner ~ "Whose Inscription Is On You?"

What we have in the gospel today is the failed attempt by the Pharisees and Herodians to trap Jesus on what appears to be a political issue: whether or not it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. The Pharisees are against the Roman occupation government, so they bring along the Herodians, people obliged to the Roman empire for keeping Herod in puppet power. Together, it ought to be easy to catch Jesus up. Note the false flattery of their opening remarks: "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth . . . " Their own insincerity is palpable. Then, they spring the trap: "Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?" By this time in the day, Jesus is well warmed up for this treacherous game of chess. He sees through their sarcasm to the malice that lies beneath and brands them hypocrites. This is why: Jesus seems to carry no coins. The Pharisees dare not carry Roman coins, for they bear the blasphemous image of Tiberius Caesar, and the inscription proclaims him divine. Yet, when Jesus asks for a Roman coin, they readily provide it. There, in the sacred space of the temple, the Pharisees possess the idolatrous image. The Pharisees are thinking two moves ahead in this game. If Jesus says that it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, he alienates the people who hate the Roman occupation and its Caesar. If he says it is unlawful to pay taxes, the people will be pleased, but Jesus will then be liable for arrest by the Romans. A clever gambit—but, not clever enough. Jesus asks them whose inscription is on the coin. Caesar, they answer. Then render to the emperor what is due him, he says, and to God what belongs to God. Checkmate. But, this is not just a game, and the teaching reaches far beyond those who first heard it. It reaches even to our time. As much as we might like to determine Jesus' attitude about taxes today or the way governments do their business, our narrative makes it clear that Jesus has greater concerns in mind. Governments are necessary, taxes may be necessary, and every country has a Caesar of sorts to contend with. So, render unto that Caesar whatever is due. But, don't mess around with the things that belong to God.
Whom do we belong to? Sometimes it seems like we belong to Caesar – the Ceasar of the modern day can be whatever thing that is imposed on us or something which we can’t do away with. It can take the form of legal restrictions on our freedoms. Or, perhaps, we feel that our job owns us. Or, at times, we feel imprisoned in some of our relationships or commitments that we are no longer happy and productive. Sometimes, we even feel owned by our material possessions.
But, to whom do we really belong? Take a look at any person. Whose inscription is on him or her? Each is made in the image and likeness of God. There can be no doubt, then, what Jesus means here. Give yourselves to God because it is to him that you belong. It is God who claims us, who made us in his own image. At the beginning of the rite of Baptism, the priest says these words to the child or the person being baptized, “N, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name, I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of his cross. I now trace the cross on your forehead and invite your parents and Godparents to do the same.” The signing of the cross on our foreheads during our baptism identifies that we belong to God – invisible it may be, but we are already marked – the seal of ownership of God. We don’t belong to anything or to anyone else; we don't even belong to ourselves. We belong to God in all our being, with all our talents, interests, time, and wealth. I like this prayer to God from William How: he said, "We give you but your own, whatever the gift may be. All that we have is yours alone, a trust, O Lord, from you."
. The consequences of belonging to God are remarkable. First, it means that God will not forsake us. The Pharisees and the other religious leaders that Jesus denounces were notoriously bad at caring for the people. They forsook their
responsibilities and the people God gave into their care. But, God does not forsake his own. Jesus made that clear in the boldest way possible when he died on the cross. Second, it means that because we belong to God, we belong to the people of God, the body of Christ. We are baptized into this fellowship and can only lose our membership by turning our backs on God. If there is any alienation, it is our own doing. And, if we return, God is there, as always. Third, it means that we give to God that which belongs to God: that is, we give ourselves. We take the sacred trust and invest it in lives of worship. Sometimes, that worship occurs privately in devotion or sometimes in church with our brothers and sisters in Christ. And the rest of the time, it occurs in the sphere of daily work and service. All of this is worship. Our life, if we live according to the plan of and will of God, is a continuous form of worship. Ultimately, giving ourselves to God means that we give ourselves to others. Looking at my own life right now, to whom or to what do I belong? Does my work claim ownership of my life? Are my relationships with others more important than my relationship with God? We are the only who can answer with sincerity and honesty. Remember, we are the Lord’s and, only in Him, can we find the fullness of joy. – Fr. Cary